COPD

COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is an illness that makes it hard to breathe. COPD generally involves a combination of Chronic bronchitis and emphysema. People with COPD are more likely to get respiratory infections.

Chronic Bronchitis – This means having thickened airways with too much mucus, leading to chronic cough and a higher risk of respiratory infections. Emphysema – This is damage to the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs, which causes air to get trapped and makes it harder for oxygen to get into the blood.

Emphysema – This is damage to the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs, which causes air to get trapped and makes it harder for oxygen to get into the blood.

In Texas, asthma in adults over 40 and COPD resulted in $41,322 hospitalizations in 2012. The average length of stay was 4.4 days and the average charge was $34,449.